Warriors Add Two Players in Wednesday's U.S. Priority Draft

May 10, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release

The Moose Jaw Warriors made two selections in the Western Hockey League's 2023 U.S. Priority Draft on Wednesday.

With their first pick, the Warriors drafted defenceman Zachary Schmidt from the Colorado Thunderbirds 14U AAA team.

The six-foot, 168-pound defenceman posted two goals and five points in eight games this past season. He added a goal and three points in four playoff games with the Thunderbirds.

"He's a defenceman that skates pretty good, he's got a lot of upside," Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said.

Schmidt currently lives in Highlands Ranch, CO, but was born in Regina.

"They're familiar with the Western Hockey League and what it's all about, he grew up watching it, so that could make it easier to recruit," Ripplinger said.

In the second round, the Warriors went to Texas with the 38th overall selection, taking forward Trevor Hill from the San Antonio Jr. Rampage 14U AA team.

In 21 games this past season, the five-foot-10, 134-pound forward posted 30 goals and 51 points. He added 30 penalty minutes as well.

"He's a skilled player, skates really well and he could potentially put some pucks in the net for us," Ripplinger said.

"When you're drafting these Americans, you want to get skill, guys that can score - we can find the third-line checkers in Canada."

The Warriors will now turn their attention to the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, which goes on Thursday at 10 a.m. Moose Jaw holds the 16th overall pick in the first round.

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Western Hockey League Stories from May 10, 2023

• Winterhawks Select Two Americans at 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Bedard Winner of Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year - Regina Pats
• Bedard Wins Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year Presented by Kia - WHL
• Hitmen Select Two in U.S. Priority Draft - Calgary Hitmen
• Oil Kings Sign 2023 U.S. Priority Draft Third-Overall Pick Alofa Tunoa Ta'amu - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Pats Captain Bedard Wins Bob Clarke Trophy as 2022-23 WHL Top Scorer Presented by Kubota Canada - Regina Pats
• Royals Sign U.S. Priority Draft Selection Cruz Waltze to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement - Victoria Royals
• Blades Draft Forward and Defenceman in U.S. Priority Draft - Saskatoon Blades
• Western Hockey League Completes 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - WHL
• Bedard Wins Bob Clarke Trophy as 2022-23 WHL Top Scorer Presented by Kubota Canada - WHL
• Warriors Add Two Players in Wednesday's U.S. Priority Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Kamloops Blazers Select Two Players in U.S. Priority Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Americans Select Burick, McCord in 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Tri-City Americans
• Tigers Select Gordon-Carroll & Davidson in US Prospects Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Chiefs Select F Brody Gillespie First Overall in WHL U.S. Priority Draft, F Nathan Chorlton in Second Round - Spokane Chiefs
• Royals Select Cruz Waltze and Odin Vauhkonen in 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Victoria Royals
• Tips Select Two Players from Dallas Stars Elite 14U in U.S. Priority Draft - Everett Silvertips
• Pats Make Pair of Selections in 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Regina Pats
• Giants Select Tyus Sparks and Gavin Karl in 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Vancouver Giants
• Rebels Select Two at WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• Rockets Make Pair of Picks in US Priority Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Wheat Kings Select Reed Brown & Jimmy Egan in US Priority Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Hurricanes Select Pair in 2023 US Priority Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Broncos Add Goaltender, Defenceman in 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Oil Kings Make Two Selections at 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings

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